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Letter to Santa…

Dear Santa,

It’s me again. Of course, you remember me! We’ve shared many Christmas letters over the years. I’m not saying how many years, because you already know how long it’s been. I’ve tried not to be too naughty this year. I think I’ve done pretty well on the nice part, too, so if those are the qualifiers with you, I should find all of my wish list items under my tree, right! That is the way it’s supposed to work. At least that’s how your marketing department promotes it. I heard on a TV commercial for Macy’s, I just have to “believe” and my wishes would be granted.

My list is a little different this year. I actually think you’re going to have to do the “Miracle on 34th St.” thing to make this all happen, but from what I’ve heard, that’s not a problem for you, right? Here goes.

1. Someone I love is trapped in the prison of addiction. I need him to be free, free for good and you don’t have to wait until Christmas for this! You know who it is, because you’ve been watching, right?

2. Someone else I love is in jail and may be sentenced to prison again. It’s alcoholism that keeps getting him in trouble. I’m not sure what to ask for him, but I need whatever is best for him to happen. You know who this is, too.

3. There is another who has to do everything on her own, I mean taking care of her child on her own and trying to make life work, without a spouse. She needs help with so many of the issues that come as a result of being a single parent. I need you to send her all of the help that she needs. You know who she is and you know how much I love her, too.

4. Then there is the one who needs to know which way his life is supposed to take him. There are so many options and so many obstacles that may look too big to overcome. Can you give him a road map for his life, or at least point him in the right direction? You know how much I love this one, too.

5. And then there are the many that I love that need help in their finances. The bills just keep coming for them and the pay check doesn’t stretch that far. Maybe you can help them win the lottery or something. I really care about them. You know who I’m talking about, right!

6. I can’t forget the ones who are close to me that are dealing with serious health issues. They need to be healthy and whole again. You can do this if I just believe, right?

7. I have a whole group of people that I love and care about that lost people they have loved this past year. This is their first Christmas without them. Moms who lost children, kids who lost parents, those who lost a spouse… The grief is excruciatingly painful for them right now. They need more than a giant hug from you. I’m really trying hard to believe you can give them what they need here…

8. Wow, so many situations come to mind. There are the ones who are lonely, the ones overwhelmed with life pressure, dangling at the end of their rope, those whose hope has run out…

Santa, I deeply care for the people who are trying to live with all of this really hard stuff. Please Santa, can you make these wishes come true for Christmas this year???

Santa, I need to make a confession here. We both know that there have been many times I had things on my Christmas list that never made an appearance under my tree. I was really good those years, too! And in the early years, I did believe, but honestly, I can’t trust you with these things anymore. You are a really swell guy and you’ve been fun and all, but I’m afraid this will have to be my last letter to you. You see, the things that are really important to me are the people I love. You just don’t have the kind of power needed to do what I’ve asked for this year. It’s time for you to face the fact that even you need a far greater power than yourself to tackle the serious issues life throws at us these days.

Seriously, Santa, you might as well know now, I have my trust in another love. He’s a far greater power than you, and really, the only hope for any of these wish list items getting done. I can hope you bring me everything I want, but I’m old enough to know, hope without God, means no hope for my wish list. I know this for fact from my years of experience. God has already made, like a million wishes come true for me. I know you might be sad to have to hear this, but it’s really good news for you, because, surely Santa, you must have some pretty hefty wish list items of your own.

Just know Santa, I will still have fun with you every Christmas. That will never change. But when it comes to my serious wish list items, I won’t be putting a letter in the Macy’s mailbox for you anymore. I’ve learned that anything Santa can’t do, God can do, and He does it much better!